5 Best Ways to Limit Internet on Your Smartphone

While your devices are always connected to the internet, there are risks you need to be aware of. Some of them are discussed here:

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a form of harassment done through electronic or digital media, including texts, emails, social media posts, voice messages, etc. And the toxic culture of social media is to be blamed for it. According to a report, 38% of people experience daily cyberbullying on social media platforms.

Social media platforms provide easy access for anyone to harass or bully others by creating fake profiles and posting negative comments about someone’s appearance or character. This type of cyberbullying can have severe consequences on the mental and physical well-being of the targeted individual.

Sexual Content

The internet can be unpredictable, and accidental exposure to inappropriate content can have severe consequences in professional settings. Imagine being in an important meeting and having inappropriate content pop up on your screen, this can cause embarrassment and loss of credibility in front of colleagues or clients.

Prolonged exposure to such content can have negative effects on one’s mental and emotional well-being, and can also lead to distractions and interruptions during important tasks.

Fake News

With its vast reach, the internet, specifically social media, has become a breeding ground for misinformation in today’s society. Social media platforms provide a platform for false assertions and unsubstantiated claims to flourish. It can be difficult to stop the spread of fake news on social media as these platforms often lack control over the content that is posted.

When people encounter false information, they tend to accept it as true and become defensive when others try to challenge it. They may also become less likely to believe in credible information and may start to believe in conspiracy theories and use misleading rhetoric. This can lead to increased uncertainty and mistrust in society.

Online Scammers

Cybercriminals have become increasingly active and are constantly finding new ways to scam internet users. These scams typically involve exploiting victims through internet services or software, with the goal of financial gain.

Scammers may use various methods to target potential victims, such as contacting them through personal and business email accounts, dating apps, social media platforms, or other channels. They may use these channels to collect financial or other sensitive information.

Hackers and Malware Sites

Hacking poses a significant risk for internet users, as it involves unauthorised access to personal devices by skilled individuals with the intent of stealing sensitive information. Hackers commonly use malware to gain access, which can be easily installed by clicking on a malicious link or visiting a seemingly legitimate website.

Once installed, malware can compromise personal data, manipulate device functions, and monitor behavior without consent. Furthermore, it can cause damage to device hardware and network equipment. It is essential to be vigilant and take necessary measures to protect yourself from these cyber threats.

5 Ways to Limit Internet Access on Your Smartphone

Now that you know the risks associated with using the internet, you may be interested in learning how to prevent them. You can use the following techniques to limit the internet on your device and keep your home or workplace network safe.

1. Blacklisting IP Addresses of Websites 

The blacklisting IP address method is a way to prevent access to specific websites by keeping a list of known problematic IP addresses and blocking any traffic from them. This can be applied to block individual websites, email addresses, or even entire network systems.

While this method can be effective, it is limited in its ability to protect against new or unknown threats. It is crucial to regularly update the blacklist to ensure its efficacy, which can be time-consuming and require effort. One alternative approach to limiting internet access on your phone is to set a password on your browser.

2. Set the Password on the Phone’s Default Browser 

Setting a password on your phone’s default browser is another way to ensure your online safety or to limit the internet on your smartphone. Let’s take Google Chrome as an example:

While using Chrome, changing profiles is simple. You can lock your Chrome profile using your Google account password if other people use your device and you want to prevent them from accessing your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords. Other users won’t be able to access that profile when you secure it with a password and customise it to suit your requirements. 

3. Use MAC Filtering to Block Devices from Accessing Wi-Fi 

Most modern Wi-Fi routers enable users to limit device access based on their MAC addresses. This practice is called MAC address filtering. Media Access Controller, or MAC, is a network identifier for devices and every physical device has a different MAC address.

MAC address filtering can be a potent tool for keeping yourself safe online since it can deny access to outside parties seeking to connect through unidentified devices.

Even if a hacker knows the password, it might still stop them from connecting to a Wi-Fi network. To get the Mac Address Filtering option, open the Wi-Fi menu and scroll until you see it. Open it and manually type in the MAC addresses of each internet-connected device you use, such as your laptop, phone, smart TV, and so on. The remaining devices will now be automatically blacklisted, while the whitelisted MAC addresses will be permitted on your network.  

There are a few MAC filtering limitations as well that you should be aware of. After you’ve MAC-filtered the devices, you’ll need to update the list whenever you add a new device or want to provide network access to visitors.

4. Request ISPs to Assign a Dedicated IP Address 

Requesting a dedicated IP address from your internet service provider (ISP) can be a way to limit internet access on your smartphone. A dedicated IP address is a unique address that is assigned to a single device and is not shared with other devices. This can be useful for limiting internet access because it allows you to control access to specific websites or services by configuring your device’s firewall or router settings.

It can also provide an added layer of security, as it makes it harder for hackers to find and access your device. However, it is important to note that this method may not be feasible for all ISPs and may come at an additional cost.

5. Monitoring Apps

Another way to limit internet access on your smartphone is through the use of monitoring applications like Xnspy. One of the key features of the app is its ability to restrict internet usage and prevent access to inappropriate content or malicious websites. This can be done by blocking specific websites or keywords, or by setting time limits on internet usage.

Xnspy smartphone spying app comes with various features such as social media monitoring, location tracking, and internet browser history. This means it keeps you updated on the target user’s internet activities in real time. You can check the target user’s internet browser history and even view the deleted history and find out what websites the user has been visiting.

Additionally, with Xnspy, you can track internet activity in “Incognito Mode.” This means that you can see what websites the target user has visited even if they have used a private browsing mode. Once you have identified any problematic websites, you can block them remotely so that the target user cannot access them. The app also has a feature that allows you to block other apps on the target device, which can’t be circumvented by installing other browsers.

Limiting Internet Usage Has Now Become a Necessity!

The Internet has greatly improved our daily lives by providing easy access to information and resources, but it also poses potential risks such as cyberbullying, sexual content, fake news, and malicious sites. To protect yourself from these dangers, it is important to be aware of the solutions available.

We have discussed different solutions to restrict or limit internet usage on your smartphone. These methods can prevent you from being harmed by cybercriminals or malicious actors by blocking access to dangerous websites and apps.

Although other techniques may be useful, smartphone spy apps are the most effective as they have fewer limitations and can provide a more secure environment for internet usage. By installing a monitoring app, you can limit the internet on your phone, and safeguard yourself from online threats.